Photographing apparatus having first and second operation devices

ABSTRACT

A photographing apparatus comprises an imaging sensor, a controller, and an exposure-mode-selecting device. The controller performs a photometric operation on a photographing subject and obtains a luminance value of the photographing subject based on the photometric operation. The exposure-mode-selecting device is used for selecting an exposure mode of the photographing apparatus that has a shutter speed and aperture priority AE mode. The photographing operation is performed with a shutter speed and an aperture value that are set by a user and a sensitivity of the imaging sensor that is calculated based on the luminance value and the shutter speed and the aperture value, while the photographing apparatus is in the shutter speed and aperture priority AE mode.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a photographing apparatus, and inparticular to an apparatus of which a photographing operation has anexposure mode controlling the sensitivity of an imaging sensor.

2. Description of the Related Art

A photographing apparatus that has a manual exposure mode where thephotographing operation is performed with a manually set shutter speedand a manually set aperture value, such as Japanese unexamined patentpublication (KOKAI) No. 2004-29423, is proposed.

However, in the case that the luminance value of the photographingsubject is suddenly changed, caused by a change of weather etc., so thata photographing operation with proper exposure can not be achieved byusing the shutter speed and the aperture value that are set before thechanging of the luminance value, a further change of the shutter speedor the aperture value is necessary.

Further, if the sensitivity of the imaging sensor is changed, aphotographing operation with proper exposure can be performed whilemaintaining the shutter speed and the aperture value set before thechanging of the luminance value. However, it is necessary to use aplurality of operation keys to adjust the sensitivity of the imagingsensor 53, so the operation becomes complicated. Further, it isdifficult to set the sensitivity quickly to obtain a proper exposureunder the condition where a change of the luminance value occurs often.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide aphotographing apparatus of which a photographing operation using ashutter speed and aperture value set by the user can be stably performedwith the proper exposure, even if the photographing conditions of thephotographing subject suddenly change.

According to the present invention, a photographing apparatus comprisesan imaging sensor, a controller, and an exposure-mode-selecting device.The controller performs a photometric operation on a photographingsubject and obtains a luminance value of the photographing subject basedon the photometric operation. The exposure-mode-selecting device is usedfor selecting an exposure mode of the photographing apparatus that has ashutter speed and aperture priority AE mode. The photographing operationis performed with a shutter speed and an aperture value that are set bya user and a sensitivity of the imaging sensor that is calculated basedon the luminance value and the shutter speed and the aperture value,while the photographing apparatus is in the shutter speed and aperturepriority AE mode.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects and advantages of the present invention will be betterunderstood from the following description, with reference to theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the photographing apparatus in theembodiment;

FIG. 2 is a perspective front view of the photographing apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a perspective rear view of the photographing apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a program diagram of the photographing apparatus with thelens;

FIG. 5 shows display content that is displayed on the second display;and

FIG. 6 shows display content that is displayed in the exposure conditiondisplay area of the optical finder.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is described below with reference to theembodiment shown in the drawings. In this embodiment, the photographingapparatus 1 is a digital camera.

The imaging part of the photographing apparatus 1 comprises an operationunit 10, a controller 30, a photographing unit 50, a memory unit 70, anda display unit 90 (see FIG. 1).

The operation unit 10 has a mode dial 11 that changes the exposure mode,a front dial 12 that sets the shutter speed and the EV compensationvalue for an exposure compensation operation, a rear dial 13 that setsthe aperture and sensitivity values, and a release button 14 (see FIGS.2 and 3).

The photographing unit 50 has a lens 51 including an aperture, a shutter52, an imaging sensor 53 such as a CCD etc., and an AE sensor 59.

The display unit 90 has an optical finder 91, a first display 92 a, anda second display 92 b.

The front dial 12 is an electrical dial and is a discoid operationmember that can be rotatably operated. The bottom of the front dial 12has a code board (not depicted), and the controller 30 changes the valueof a parameter corresponding to the rotation position and the rotationdirection of the front dial 12 based on a signal from the code board.

The rear dial 13 is an electrical dial and is a discoid operation memberthat can be rotatably operated. The bottom of the rear dial 13 has acode board (not depicted), and the controller 30 changes the value of aparameter corresponding to the rotation position and the rotationdirection of the rear dial 13 based on a signal from the code board.

In a photographing operation, the photographic subject image is capturedas an optical image through the lens 51 and the shutter 52 by theimaging sensor 53 so that the image obtained by the photographingoperation is displayed on the first display 92 a and the image dataobtained by the photographing operation is stored in the memory unit 70.

The exposure condition of the photographing operation, which includes ashutter speed (the length of an exposure time), an aperture value, and asensitivity (a photographic speed) of the imaging sensor 53, isdetermined by at least one manual setting operation of the operationunit 10 by the user and an AE calculation by the controller 30 based ona setting condition applied by the user and information regarding aphotometric operation from an AE sensor 59.

The photographic subject image can be optically observed through thelens 51 with the optical finder 91.

The mode dial (the exposure-mode-selecting device) 11 is used forselecting the exposure mode. For the exposure mode, the photographingapparatus 1 (the mode dial 11) has a first program AE mode P1, a secondprogram AE mode P2, a sensitivity priority AE mode Sv, a shutter speedpriority AE mode Tv, an aperture priority AE mode Av, a shutter speedand aperture priority AE mode TAv, a manual mode M, a bulb mode B, and aflash synchronizing mode X.

However, the selecting device for the exposure mode is not limited tothe mode dial 11, and may be another selecting device, such as a switch.

The front dial (the first operation device) 12 is used for changing thevalue of the exposure factor set by the mode dial 11 (the shutterspeed), based on an operation state of the front dial 12. However, thefirst operation device for the shutter speed is not limited to the frontdial 12, and may be another operation device, such as a switch.

The rear dial (the second operation device) 13 is used for changing thevalue of the exposure factor set by the mode dial 11 (the aperture valueor the sensitivity), based on an operation state of the rear dial 13.However, the second operation device for the aperture value and thesensitivity is not limited to the rear dial 13, and may be anotheroperation device, such as a switch.

The mode dial 11 is rotated so that the exposure mode, corresponding toa mode mark on the mode dial 11 that is moved to a dial selectionposition by the rotating operation of the mode dial 11, is the exposuremode to which the photographing apparatus 1 is set.

A black rectangular mark corresponding to the first program AE mode P1,a “P” mark corresponding to the second program AE mode P2, an “Sv” markcorresponding to the sensitivity priority AE mode Sv, a “Tv” markcorresponding to the shutter speed priority AE mode Tv, an “Av” markcorresponding to the aperture priority AE mode Av, a “TAv” markcorresponding to the shutter speed and aperture priority AE mode TAv, an“M” mark corresponding to the manual mode M, a “B” mark corresponding tothe bulb mode B, and an “X” mark corresponding to the flashsynchronizing mode X are indicated on the mode dial 11, as shown inFIGS. 2 and 3.

A state where the “Sv” mark is adjusted to the dial selection positionis shown in FIG. 2. A state where the black rectangular mark is adjustedto the dial selection position is shown in FIG. 3.

While the photographing apparatus 1 is in the first program AE mode P1,the controller 30 automatically sets the shutter speed and the aperturevalue according to a program line of preset parameters to obtain theproper exposure when the photographing operation is performed (whentaking pictures).

The first program AE mode P1 is an exposure mode where the photographingoperation is performed by using a shutter speed (a Tv value) and anaperture value (an Av value) that are calculated to obtain a properexposure by the controller 30, based on an exposure value (an Ev value)that is determined on the basis of a luminance value (a Bv value) of thephotographing subject, that is obtained in the photometric operation anda predetermined sensitivity (an Sv value) of the imaging sensor 53 thatis set in advance.

Specifically, a combination of the shutter speed (the Tv value) and theaperture value (the Av value) corresponding to the exposure value (theEv value), on the basis of the luminance value (the Bv value) of thephotographing subject and the sensitivity (the Sv value) of the imagingsensor 53, is determined according to the program line that is set inthe memory of the photographing apparatus 1 in advance (Bv+Sv=Ev=Tv+Av,see FIG. 4).

Further, when the exposure compensation operation is performed by theuser, an exposure value that is changed by the exposure compensationoperation is used as the Ev value.

While the photographing apparatus 1 is in the second program AE mode P2,the controller 30 automatically sets the shutter speed and the aperturevalue according to the program line to obtain the proper exposure whenthe photographing operation is performed (when taking pictures), as inthe first program AE mode P1.

Further, in the second program AE mode P2, the shutter speed can bechanged by using the front dial 12 and the aperture value can be changedby using the rear dial 13, while still maintaining the proper exposure.

When the shutter speed is changed, the controller 30 recalculates theaperture value, based on the modified shutter speed to obtain the properexposure.

When the aperture value is changed, the controller 30 recalculates theshutter speed, based on the modified aperture value to obtain the properexposure.

In this way, the fact that either or both the shutter speed (Tv value)and the aperture value (Av value) can be optionally changed is adifference from the first program AE mode P1.

While the photographing apparatus 1 is in the sensitivity priority AEmode Sv, the controller 30 automatically sets the shutter speed and theaperture value according to a set sensitivity to obtain the properexposure when the photographing operation is performed (when takingpictures).

The sensitivity priority AE mode Sv is an exposure mode where thephotographing operation is performed by using a shutter speed (the Tvvalue) and an aperture value (the Av value) that are calculated toobtain a proper exposure by the controller 30, based on an exposurevalue that is determined on the basis of the luminance value (the Bvvalue) of the photographing subject that is obtained in the photometricoperation, and the sensitivity (the Sv value) of the imaging sensor 53that is set, by the user using the rear dial 13.

Specifically, the combination of the shutter speed (the Tv value) andthe aperture value (the Av value), corresponding to the exposure value(the Ev value) that is based on the luminance value (the Bv value) ofthe photographing subject and the sensitivity (the Sv value) of theimaging sensor 53, is determined according to the program line that isset, in advance, in the memory of the photographing apparatus 1, and anEV line corresponding to the Ev value, that is calculated.

The Ev line is expressed in diagonal lines in the program diagram ofFIG. 4.

In the case that the photographing apparatus 1 is a digital camera, thesensitivity (the Sv value) corresponds to a gain applied to the imagesignal output from the imaging sensor 53, and the controller 30 performsthe photographing operation under the condition where the sensitivity isset higher so that the gain applied to the image signal is set higher.Therefore, noise in the image corresponding to the image signal is alsoamplified more as the gain is increased.

Accordingly, it is suitable to use the sensitivity priority AE mode Svin the case where the user intends to change the image quality whilemaintaining the sensitivity for image-creating (framing) intention.

When the luminance value (the Bv value) of the photographing subject isconstant (is not changed), the exposure value (the Ev value) is alteredcorresponding to the modified sensitivity (the Sv value) that ismanually set by the user, so that the combination of the calculatedshutter speed (the Tv value) and the calculated aperture value (the Avvalue) is modified.

Further, in the sensitivity priority AE mode Sv, the shutter speed canbe changed by using the front dial 12 while still maintaining the properexposure.

When the shutter speed is changed, the controller 30 recalculates theaperture value based on the modified shutter speed to obtain the properexposure.

In this way, when the combination of the shutter speed and the aperturevalue that is calculated corresponding to the sensitivity that is set bythe user does not satisfy the user's requirements, one of the exposurefactors (the shutter speed) can be changed easily, so that aphotographing operation suitable for the user's intention can beperformed.

While the photographing apparatus 1 is in the shutter speed priority AEmode Tv, the controller 30 automatically sets the aperture valueaccording to a set shutter speed to obtain the proper exposure when thephotographing operation is performed (when taking pictures).

The shutter speed priority AE mode Tv is an exposure mode where thephotographing operation is performed using a shutter speed (the Tvvalue) that is set with the front dial 12 by the user, and an aperturevalue (the Av value) that is calculated by the controller 30 to obtain aproper exposure based on the set shutter speed and the exposure value(the Ev value). The Ev value is determined on the basis of the luminancevalue (the Bv value) of the photographing subject that is obtained inthe photometric operation, and the sensitivity (the Sv value) of theimaging sensor 53 that is set in advance.

While the photographing apparatus 1 is in the aperture priority AE modeAv, the controller 30 automatically sets the shutter speed according toa set aperture value to obtain the proper exposure when thephotographing operation is performed (when taking pictures).

The aperture priority AE mode Av is an exposure mode where thephotographing operation is performed using an aperture value (the Avvalue) that is set with the rear dial 13 by the user, and a shutterspeed (the Tv value) that is calculated by the controller 30 to obtain aproper exposure based on the set aperture value and the exposure value(the Ev value). The Ev value is determined on the basis of the luminancevalue (the Bv value) of the photographing subject that is obtained inthe photometric operation, and the sensitivity (the Sv value) of theimaging sensor 53 that is set in advance.

While the photographing apparatus 1 is in the shutter speed and aperturepriority AE mode TAv, the controller 30 automatically sets thesensitivity according to a set shutter speed and a set aperture value toobtain the proper exposure when the photographing operation is performed(when taking pictures).

The shutter speed and aperture priority AE mode TAv is an exposure modewhere the photographing operation is performed using a shutter speed(the Tv value) that is set with the front dial 12 by the user and anaperture value (the Av value) that is set with the rear dial 13 by theuser, with the sensitivity (the Sv value) of the imaging sensor 53 thatis calculated by the controller 30 to obtain the proper exposure basedon the set shutter speed, the set aperture value, and the luminancevalue (the Bv value) of the photographing subject that is obtained inthe photometric operation.

Specifically, the exposure value (the Ev value) is calculated based onthe shutter speed (the Tv value) and the aperture value (the Av value)that are set by the user (Ev=Tv+Av). Then, the sensitivity (the Svvalue) of the imaging sensor 53 corresponding to the calculated exposurevalue (the Ev value) is determined based on the luminance value (the Bvvalue) of the photographing subject that is obtained in the photometricoperation (Sv=Ev−Bv).

For example, it is explained that in the case where the weather turnsfrom being cloudy to being fine, the light of the sun that radiates tothe photographing subject is increased, and subsequently, the value 2EVof the luminance value (the Bv value) is increased. In this case,because the exposure value (the Ev value), on the basis of the shutterspeed (the Tv value) and the aperture value (the Av value) which are setby the user, is not changed in the shutter speed and aperture priorityAE mode TAv, the value 2EV of the sensitivity (the Sv value) isdecreased corresponding to the luminance value (the Bv value) beingincreased in order to obtain a proper exposure.

The manual mode M is an exposure mode where the photographing operationis performed using a shutter speed (the Tv value) that is set with thefront dial 12 by the user, an aperture value (the Av value) that is setwith the rear dial 13 by the user, with the sensitivity (the Sv value)of the imaging sensor 53 that is set by the user.

The bulb mode B is an exposure mode where the photographing operation isperformed using an aperture value (the Av value) that is set with therear dial 13 by the user, with a sensitivity (the Sv value) of theimaging sensor 53 that is set by the user, while the release button 14is fully depressed.

The flash synchronizing mode X is an exposure mode where thephotographing operation is performed using an aperture value (the Avvalue) that is set with the rear dial 13 by the user, and a shutterspeed (the Tv value) that is calculated by the controller 30 to obtain aproper exposure based on the set aperture value and the exposure value(the Ev value). The Ev value is determined on the basis of the luminancevalue (the Bv value) of the photographing subject with the use of aflash of light. The shutter speed is obtained in the photometricoperation with a sensitivity (the Sv value) of the imaging sensor 53that is set in advance. In this mode, the shutter speed (the Tv value)is set to be less than a shutter speed that can be synchronized with theflash of light operation that is preset in the photographing apparatus 1in advance.

The front dial 12 is an electrical dial that is arranged on the frontgrip part of the photographing apparatus 1, whereby the front dial 12can be rotated by the user's right forefinger, etc., while holding thephotographing apparatus 1.

By rotating the front dial 12, the shutter speed can be changed in thesecond program AE mode P2, the shutter speed priority AE mode Tv, theshutter speed and aperture priority mode TAv, and the manual mode M.

However, the front dial 12 may be used for another adjusting operation,such as setting the EV compensation, setting the number of photographingoperations in the auto bracket function, etc.

The rear dial 13 is an electrical dial that is arranged on the rightrear surface part of the photographing apparatus 1, whereby the reardial 13 can be rotated by the user's right thumb, etc., while holdingthe photographing apparatus 1.

By rotating the rear dial 13, the aperture value can be changed in thesecond program AE mode P2, the aperture priority AE mode Av, the shutterspeed and aperture priority mode TAv, the manual mode M, and the flashsynchronizing mode X.

Similarly, by rotating the rear dial 13, the sensitivity of the imagingsensor 53 can be changed in the sensitivity priority AE mode Sv.

However, the rear dial 13 may be used for another adjusting operation,such as setting the step interval in the auto bracket function, etc.

When the release button 14 is partially depressed by the user, thephotometric switch (not depicted) switches to the ON state so that thephotometric operation of the AE sensor 59, the AF sensing operation, andthe focusing operation of the AF sensor (not depicted) are performed.

In the first program AE mode P1, the second program AE mode P2, thesensitivity priority AE mode Sv, the shutter speed priority AE mode Tv,the aperture priority AE mode Av, and the shutter speed and aperturepriority AE mode TAv, the exposure condition, such as the shutter speed,etc., is calculated based on the luminance value of the photographingsubject that is obtained by the controller 30 in the photometricoperation.

When the release button 14 is fully depressed by the user, the releaseswitch (not depicted) changes to the ON state so that the controller 30performs the photographing operation based on the exposure factors, suchas the shutter speed, etc., that are automatically calculated by thecontroller 30 or optionally set by the user. The image, which iscaptured, is displayed in the first display 92 a and the image data isstored in the memory unit 70.

The controller 30 is a control apparatus that controls each part of thephotographing apparatus 1 regarding the photographing operation,particularly the AE sensor 59. It also calculates the luminance value ofthe photographing subject that is obtained by the AE sensor 59 in thephotometric operation, and performs the calculation of the exposurecondition in the photometric operation corresponding to the exposuremode.

When one of the calculated exposure factors (the shutter speed, theaperture value, or the sensitivity of the imaging sensor 53), is outsideof a predetermined range (a range of shutter speed values, aperturevalues, or sensitivity values), an error message indicating that theproper exposure cannot be obtained is displayed in the exposurecondition display area 91 a in the optical finder 91, the first display92 a, and the second display 92 b.

For example, in the case where a photographing subject that has a lowluminance value is detected in the shutter speed and aperture priorityAE mode TAv, where the shutter speed set by the user is too fast and theaperture is constricted excessively by the user (i.e. the Tv value andthe Av value are too large), the calculated value of the sensitivity maybe more than an upper limited value of the sensitivity of the imagingsensor 53. Because the sensitivity (the Sv value) is set to the upperlimited value of the sensitivity of the imaging sensor 53, properexposure cannot be obtained in such an exposure condition.

In this case, from a flashing signal in the first shutter-speed displayarea 91 a 2 and the first aperture-value display area 91 a 3 of theexposure condition display area 91 a of the optical finder 91, or aflashing signal in the second shutter-speed display area 92 b 2 and thesecond aperture-value display area 92 b 3 of the second display 92 bwarns the user to change at least one of the shutter speed (the Tvvalue) and the aperture value (the Av value) in order to obtain a properexposure. Specifically, the shutter speed (the Tv value) should bedecreased (a lower Tv value) and the aperture value (the Av value)should be changed to the opened aperture value (a lower Av value).

The optical finder 91 is a finder that is used for observing the opticalimage of the photographing subject through the lens 51, and forobserving the exposure condition as set by the user or calculated by thephotometric operation, with one of the user's eyes.

The optical finder 91 has an area that displays the optical image (notdepicted) and an exposure condition display area 91 a that displays theexposure condition, such as the shutter speed, etc., (see FIG. 6).

The exposure condition display area 91 a has a first sensitivity displayarea 91 a 1 that displays the sensitivity of the imaging sensor 53, afirst shutter-speed display area 91 a 2 that displays the shutter speed,and a first aperture-value display area 91 a 3 that displays theaperture value.

The first display 92 a is an indicating apparatus arranged on the rearsurface of the photographing apparatus 1 that displays the imageobtained by the photographing operation and that displays informationregarding the function setting, such as the white balance, etc.

The second display 92 b is an indicating apparatus arranged on the topsurface of the photographing apparatus 1 that displays information aboutthe function that is set, regarding the exposure condition, the imageprocessing operation, such as the white balance, etc., and the storingoperation.

The second display 92 b has a second sensitivity display area 92 b 1that displays the sensitivity of the imaging sensor 53, a secondshutter-speed display area 92 b 2 that displays the shutter speed, and asecond aperture-value display area 92 b 3 that displays the aperturevalue (see FIG. 5).

In the embodiment, the exposure mode of the photographing apparatus 1has the shutter speed and aperture priority AE mode TAv as one of theexposure modes where the shutter speed and the aperture value aremanually set by the user so that the sensitivity of the imaging sensor53 is calculated based on the set shutter speed and the set aperturevalue.

Therefore, the proper exposure condition (the sensitivity of the imagingsensor 53) corresponding to both the shutter speed and the aperturevalue can be calculated so that the photographing operation can beperformed with a proper exposure. Accordingly, even if the photographingcondition of the photographing subject suddenly changes, a photographingoperation using the shutter speed and aperture value set by the user canbe stably performed with the proper exposure.

For example, the luminance of a photographing subject under a conditionwhere the weather changes quickly tends to change instantly. In theembodiment, the photographing operation can be performed with anoptionally set shutter speed and aperture value (especially with a lowshutter speed and a large aperture value) and with proper exposure, evenif in this condition.

Further, the front dial 12 that is arranged in the front part of thephotographing apparatus 1 is used as a device for setting the shutterspeed, and the rear dial 13 that is arranged in the rear part of thephotographing apparatus 1 is used as a device for setting the aperturevalue. The shutter speed that is set by using the front dial 12, and theaperture value that is set by using the rear dial 13, can be visuallyrecognized on the optical finder 91, the first display 92 a, and thesecond display 92 b.

Therefore, when the photographing apparatus 1 is set in the shutterspeed and aperture priority AE mode TAv, the shutter speed can bechanged by using only one operation, i.e. the rotation of the front dial12, and the aperture value can be changed by only one operation, i.e.the rotation of the rear dial 13.

The exposure mode of a normal photographing apparatus (digital camera)can also be set to manual. In manual mode, the shutter speed and theaperture value are manually set and then the sensitivity is manuallyadjusted so that a photographing operation with the proper exposure canbe performed.

However, it is necessary to use a plurality of operation keys to adjustthe sensitivity of the imaging sensor 53. Another photometric operation(the partial depression of the release button) is necessary to confirmwhether the proper exposure is achieved by the set sensitivity.Accordingly, the operation becomes complicated.

Further, by using the auto bracket function, a plurality ofphotographing operations are successively performed while changing thesensitivity, so that an image with proper exposure can be selected amongthe captured images. However, a plurality of photographing operationsand a selection of the best image are necessary, so the operationbecomes complicated.

In the embodiment, the mode dial 11 that is used for selecting theshutter speed and aperture priority AE mode TAv is a dial that is usedfor selecting the exposure mode, such as the shutter speed priority AEmode Tv etc. The front dial 12 is a dial that is used for setting theshutter speed in the shutter speed priority AE mode Tv etc. The reardial 13 is a dial that is used for setting the aperture value in theaperture priority AE mode Av etc.

Therefore, it is unnecessary to add an operation key for the shutterspeed and aperture priority AE mode TAv. It is necessary to add only anew exposure mode on the mode dial 11.

Further, in the shutter speed and aperture priority AE mode TAv, themethod of setting the shutter speed is the same as that of the shutterspeed priority AE mode Tv, and the method of setting the aperture valueis the same as that of the aperture priority AE mode Av. Therefore, theoperation does not become complicated for the user.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been describedherein with reference to the accompanying drawings, obviously manymodifications and changes may be made by those skilled in this artwithout departing from the scope of the invention.

The present disclosure relates to subject matter contained in JapanesePatent Application No. 2006-247669 (filed on Sep. 13, 2006), which isexpressly incorporated herein by reference, in its entirety.

1. A photographing apparatus comprising: an imaging sensor; a controllerthat performs a photometric operation on a photographing subject andobtains a luminance value of said photographing subject based on saidphotometric operation; an exposure-mode-selecting device that isoperable to select an exposure mode of said photographing apparatus thathas at least a shutter speed priority automatic exposure (AE) mode, anaperture priority AE mode and a shutter speed and aperture priority AEmode, said exposure mode selecting device comprising single operationmember provided on an upper surface of said photographing apparatus,said single operation member being configured to select an exposure modefrom said shutter speed priority AE mode, from said aperture priority AEmode and from said shutter speed and aperture priority AE mode; a firstoperation device that is operable to set a shutter speed in said shutterspeed and aperture priority AE mode; and a second operation device thatis operable to set an aperture value in said shutter speed and aperturepriority AE mode; a photographing operation being performed with ashutter speed and an aperture value that are set by a user and asensitivity of said imaging sensor that is calculated based on saidluminance value and said shutter speed and said aperture value set bythe user, while said photographing apparatus is in said shutter speedand aperture priority AE mode, wherein said first operation device isprovided on a front or rear surface of said photographing apparatus andis not visible from the rear or front surface, respectively, of thephotographing apparatus, and said second operation device is provided ona rear or a front surface of said photographing apparatus and is notvisible from the front or rear surface, respectively, of thephotographing apparatus, the upper surface of said photographingapparatus being transverse to the front and rear surfaces of saidphotographing apparatus; and wherein the first operation device and thesecond operation device are not located on the same surface of theimaging apparatus.
 2. The photographing apparatus according to claim 1,wherein said photographing apparatus further has at least a manual mode;said first operation device is used for setting said shutter speed insaid shutter speed priority AE mode or said manual mode; and said secondoperation device is used for setting said aperture value in saidaperture priority AE mode or said manual mode.
 3. The photographingapparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a display thatdisplays an error message when said sensitivity that is calculated insaid shutter speed and aperture priority AE mode is outside a range ofsensitivity values of said imaging sensor.
 4. The photographingapparatus according to claim 1, said exposure mode selecting devicebeing positioned on a surface that extends transverse to the front andrear surfaces.
 5. The photographing apparatus according to claim 1,wherein each of said first operation device and said second operationdevice comprises an electrical dial with a rotatably operated discoidoperation member.
 6. The photographing apparatus according to claim 5,further comprising an optical finder that includes an image display areaand an exposure condition display area, the exposure condition displayarea including an area that displays a sensitivity of the imagingsensor.
 7. The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, furthercomprising an optical finder that includes an image display area and anexposure condition display area, the exposure condition display areaincluding an area that displays a sensitivity of the imaging sensor. 8.The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising arelease operation device provided between the first and second operationdevices, in a direction extending transverse to the front and rearsurfaces of the photographing apparatus.
 9. A photographing apparatusthat has a photographing lens with an optical axis that projectsperpendicularly from a front surface of the photographing apparatus, anda rear surface extending substantially parallel to a lens mountingsurface of the front surface, the photographing apparatus comprising: animaging sensor; a controller that performs a photometric operation on aphotographing subject and obtains a luminance value of the photographingsubject based on the photometric operation; an exposure mode selectingdevice that is operable to select an exposure mode of the photographingapparatus that has at least a shutter speed priority automatic exposure(AE) mode, an aperture priority AE mode and a shutter speed and aperturepriority AE mode, said exposure mode selecting device comprising singleoperation member provided on an upper surface of said photographingapparatus, said single operation member being configured to select anexposure mode from said shutter speed priority AE mode, from saidaperture priority AE mode and from said shutter speed and aperturepriority AE mode; a first operation device that is operable to set ashutter speed in the shutter speed and aperture priority AE mode; and asecond operation device that is operable to set an aperture value in theshutter speed and aperture priority AE mode; wherein one of the firstoperation device and the second operation device is provided on the rearsurface of the photographing apparatus and the other of the firstoperation device and the second operation device is provided and on asurface opposite to the rear surface of the photographing apparatus, theupper surface of said photographing apparatus being transverse to thefront and rear surfaces of said photographing apparatus; and wherein thefirst operation device and the second operation device are not locatedon the same surface of the imaging apparatus.
 10. The photographingapparatus according to claim 9, the exposure mode selecting device beingprovided on a side of the photographing lens opposite the first andsecond operation devices.
 11. The photographing apparatus according toclaim 9, further comprising a release operation device provided betweenthe first and second operation devices, in a direction extendingtransverse to the front and rear surfaces of the photographingapparatus.
 12. The photographing device according to claim 9, furthercomprising a display provided on a surface extending substantiallyperpendicular to the front and rear surfaces of the photographingapparatus.
 13. The photographing device according to claim 9, whereinthe photographing apparatus further has at least a manual mode; saidfirst operation device being used for setting the shutter speed in saidshutter speed priority AE mode or in said manual mode; and said secondoperation device is used for setting said aperture value in saidaperture priority AE mode or in said manual mode.
 14. The photographingapparatus according to claim 9, further comprising a display thatdisplays an error message when a sensitivity that is calculated in saidshutter speed and aperture priority AE mode is outside of a range ofsensitivity values of said imaging sensor.
 15. The photographingapparatus according to claim 9, wherein each of said first operationdevice and said second operation device comprises an electrical dialwith a rotatably operated discoid operation member.